Omaha has a long and proud tradition of black firefighters breaking barriers. In 1895, the first black firefighters were hired.

Fire Fighters

Omaha has a long and proud tradition of black firefighters breaking
barriers. In 1895, the first black firefighters were hired. They were
very proud of their accomplishments, but they were not treated as
equals. Black firefighters had to follow the laws of segregation. They
were based at two different fire stations in North Omaha because that is
where the black population was at that time. It was difficult for black
firefighters to be promoted. This started to change in 1951 due to the
use of a Civil Service exam for eligibility among applicants. Some
challenges to being promoted continued through the desegregation of the
Omaha Fire Department.